Difficulties Faced By Exporters in International Trade

When you get on the international trading, there are many aspects to consider as an exporter. You need to be informed when it comes to the local norms in your country and the norms in the country you aim to export to. Legal norms are crucial when it comes to international trading, and they can ease or complicate the process. But besides these norms and the entire legal aspect, there are other details to consider as well. The problems faced by exporters are challenging and can delay the exporting process a lot.

When you start exporting goods or products, you have a real chance to reach a significant profit and success. And if all goes well, your company will reach a new level of benefits in no-time, so it is well worth the investment! But you need to keep your business safe just as you need to take care of your products. Here are the main difficulties that exporters face when trading internationally and the best approach to have on them!

Geography and transportation

One of the first exporting challenges that you might have to deal with is the distance. If you are planning to export your goods to a country that is far away from your location, the process can get a bit complicated. Especially if the country is in a different continent and therefore, a different system can be utilized. And the longer the distance gets, the more complex transportation gets.

Assuming your goods will have to travel to several other countries to reach their destination, you should check the norms for those countries as well. It will help you avoid problems and shipping delays. Also, if your goods will travel over the sea or ocean, you might need to consider a different form of transportation such as a ship instead of an airplane. Prices vary as well for different shipping methods and so does the time which is why you need to pay attention to such details!

The good idea is to invest in some shipment insurance that will protect your products. You can find many companies on this matter, but it can get tricky when you are looking for a company that offers insurance internationally. Some exporters use more insurance companies to have all the possibilities covered. You will have to check if your insurance company is covering all the countries that get in contact with your goods. And of course, the main countries are your country and the final destination of the package. Prices might vary here depending on factors like total quantity that you want to ship and method of transportation.

Different legal norms

When it comes to possible problems of exporting goods, the legal systems is an important one. It also implies the safety system of a certain country that you want to trade with. You should stay informed regarding government laws for goods safety, especially when you export foods. Some regulations might delay the export-import process and create issues for both you and the local importer. The most important problems of import and export come from a bad legal system in one country or another. You might be restricted when it comes to advertising your goods or the quantity that you want to export. A good lawyer specialized in international trading can help you overcome such issues and establish a quality business.

Some countries have a complex bureaucratic system that requires a variety of documents and certificates. You might need to obtain certain licenses and permits when you export to certain countries for the first time. While most of them are a one time deal, some will need to be renewed. It all depends on the system the country of destination has. You will need certain export documents just to be able to get the goods out of your country, separated from the documents you need to import them into another country. All these documents can delay your export-import process and even block it if you don’t know the legal norms. This is why having an expert on the matter can be crucial.

Language barriers

Language barriers can be a real issue when trading internationally. If your importer doesn’t speak the same language things might be lost in the translation. The main trading language can be used in English. However, many countries don’t have English as their national language, so importers might use different translation programs to communicate with you. You can still make a deal as long as you keep the language simple and as standard as possible. Hiring a translator will save you from a lot of struggle when it comes to communication problems. And it is an investment worth making because no one needs misunderstandings when there’s a lot of money involved!

Finding the right importer

Maybe the most important part to take care of as an international trader is finding the right importer. Your important will be your partner in the entire process, and they can become a blessing or a curse for you. Always pay attention when you decide to do business with an importer or another and do your best to avoid possible local scams. The risk of scams is present in every country that you want to deal with, but you can still avoid it. Your lawyer can also help you with finding a trustful importer by researching their past activity. Check the comments and reviews that your importer might have from other exporters to get a general idea.

Also, once you end up with a good importer that helps you with the import-export process; do your best to keep them. A long-term business relationship is important in the international trading market. And good contacts can be hard to find, so it is wise to develop the good relationships you already have in the matter. You can also find a good importer based on some other exporters’ recommendations.

Different customs and cultures

When you are exporting into a new country, you need to consider their culture and traditions. It may happen especially if you are exporting goods like food or even clothes. For instance, certain types of meat might not be allowed to some countries due to cultural limitations. Or some clothes might not be allowed, especially when it comes to women. It is crucial to do your research on local traditions and adapt your export-import process to that.

Besides these differences between cultures, you should also consider what the country needs.

Some countries in Africa will always welcome rice imports because the demand is high. While they will not be so interested in cotton imports, they can produce that more locally. It is a great idea to start the import-export process by trading with a country that you are familiar with. Analyse their local market and demands to identify their needs better and work with that kind of data.

Starship Lines Can help you overcome all problems and help your business grow and explore new dimensions around the globe .

Partnering with us would have you some advantages like :

• A Freight Forwarder handles ancillary services that are part of the international shipping business
• Insurance
• Customs Documentation
• Local Transportation
• Sea/Air Logistics
• Rail Logistics
• A Freight Forwarder provides to consolidators as well as individual shippers:
• Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier documentation
• Bills of Lading
• Warehousing
• Risk Assessment and Management
• Methods of International Payment
• A Freight Forwarder insists on personal communication and great customer service.
• A freight forwarder acts as link between you and the the shipping line , helping you with all the technicalities even of the country you are exporting.
• A wide network helps a smooth flow of network .
• Integrated knowledge of all local rules , regulations and laws to help you protect your interest.